Availability:
2010
Solo show generally available.
Please enquire.

Tour Dates

Downloads:
Biography
Tech Spec
Hi-Res image pack
A3 Carthy/Swarb Poster
A5 Carthy/Swarb Flyer

Web links:
Official site
 

Dave Swarbrick

Regarded by many as Britain’s finest folk fiddler Dave Swarbrick has inspired and influenced countless musicians over five decades. From his early work with the Ian Campbell Folk Group and his groundbreaking time with Fairport Convention he has continued to be at the forefront of the British folk movement. Famously killed off by the Daily Telegraph in 1999, Swarb continues to confound the press and the medical profession.

He won his battle with emphysema after a life saving, double lung transplant in 2004 and his resilience and strength enabled him to return to the road. Since then he has travelled Britain, Europe and Australia playing with his new band, Swarb’s Lazarus, and has been re-united with both Martin Carthy and Alistair Hulett for outstanding duo tours.

Availability:
2010
September


Tour Dates

Downloads:
Biography
High Res Image

Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick

All the old skills are demonstrated with a new collection of traditional songs and instrumentals. Their experienced approach to their art lacks none of the fervour of their early days, and brings a maturity born of many years living with the music that is an integral part of their beings.

"Intense and demanding, this is hard core traditional music. Sublime fiddle playing and the passionate delivery of evocative old songs by their ablest interpretor." Telegraph

"The super-duo are back together after 14 years." The Guardian
"Swarbrick is an absolute revelation here, as instinctively sympathetic and wickedly inspirational as he ever was. It’s like they were a couple of twenty somethings again. To hear Swarb bowing with such soul and tenderness and dynamism too is an unconditional joy." fRoots

This remarkable pairing played an important part in the tremendous shake up given to British folk music in the middle to late 60's. Dave Swarbrick first came to prominence on the folk scene as a young instrumental virtuoso in the Ian Campbell Folk Group. Having worked alongside other leading musicians such as Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger, Beryl and Roger Marriott and A. L. Lloyd, he teamed up with Martin Carthy in 1966. While they featured hot instrumental tracks in their live sets and recordings, Dave's forte in the duo was sensitive accompaniment to Martin's vocals and guitar. On Rags, Reels & Airs the focus was solely on Dave and it finally gave him a chance to really stretch out and demonstrate his leading instrumental prowess. The result was a new era of English instrumental folk music and a new approach to folk music altogether. When they parted in 1969 Dave joined Fairport Convention and his contribution to folk and folk/rock music is legendary and well documented.

For more than 40 years Martin Carthy has been one of folk music's greatest innovators, one of its best loved, most enthusiastic and, at times, most quietly
controversial of figures. His skill, stage presence and natural charm have won him many admirers, not only from within the folk scene, but also far beyond it.

“Arguably the greatest English folk song performer, writer, collector and editor of them all!” Q Magazine (2004)